Cole's Plus/Minus: Pens vs. Jets - Adams >>> Tangradi

See... I just thought he was mediocre. And I thought Sid played like balls. Though I have exacting standards for both that are admittedly difficult to live up to game by game.

But then... I've also thought one or the other have played great but then come in here to poke around and the entire thread is a bash fest. It isn't a criticism, really... just an observation. Like they say... your mileage may vary.

I think we can all agree that having to watch Kennedy play for even one more shift is getting into "cruel and unusual" territory.

What does that mean for those stuck playing on a line with him? I'm thinking 'red hot poker' and 'all the way'.

See... I just thought he was mediocre. And I thought Sid played like balls. Though I have exacting standards for both that are admittedly difficult to live up to game by game.

But then... I've also thought one or the other have played great but then come in here to poke around and the entire thread is a bash fest. It isn't a criticism, really... just an observation. Like they say... your mileage may vary.

I think we can all agree that having to watch Kennedy play for even one more shift is getting into "cruel and unusual" territory.

I'll probably get bashed for this based on some GDT comments, but I thought Sid was really good defensively.

I like Bort a lot as well and want to see him back in the lineup, but why is the switch centered around Niskanen and not Despres? I like that Despres can make some slick plays with the puck, but he still makes several several defensive errors every game that seem to get glossed over. They are catching up with him as well in terms of the number of goals against while on the ice.

Yeah, and TK doesn't look like he descends from something I'd order at IHOP.

Really? Kennedy looks tasty to you? Good luck choking that down.

I guess since I came out of lurkdom to defend Engo's hotness I should comment on the game, that was one of the worst 5-on-3's I've ever seen. And this team has had some bad ones. So of course they scored on it.

The third line really needs a new identity, it's almost as much of a pressing need as a top six winger.

I completely disagree. I think Cooke and Kennedy have been **** all season on that line. Cooke barely looks like he's moving until he was moved up with Geno. Tyler Kennedy has been a ghost since signing his 2M contract. A complete ghost. I remember writing about him winning battle after battle and now he is a 4th line player at best competing with Glass.

If I'm Shero my plan right now is to leave BB in the lineup for at least 6-8 games to see how he's doing. If he fits now, wicked, no trades necessary until the deadline. If he doesn't, no big deal, send him down for the time being and make that trade he appears to be working on.

I miss when Crosby would attack the D any time he got the puck with speed in the neutral zone. He used to skate through the defense on a nightly basis. Now he button hooks everytime he gains the zone and looks for the trailer. Or, in this game, he'd gain the blueline and right away take a weak wrist shot. That's not good enough.

Also, the breakout is getting annoying. How many times per game do we see the forwards exit the zone before the d-men can make a play and then watch the defensemen stand in with the puck in their own zone with no one to pass to? They rarely exit the zone as a team because they focus on playing too quickly. When it works it's great, but it almost never works.

I miss when Crosby would attack the D any time he got the puck with speed in the neutral zone. He used to skate through the defense on a nightly basis. Now he button hooks everytime he gains the zone and looks for the trailer. Or, in this game, he'd gain the blueline and right away and take a weak wrist shot. That's not good enough.

Also, the breakout is getting annoying. How many times per game do we see the forwards exit the zone before the d-men can make a play and then watch the defensemen stand in with the puck in their own zone with no one to pass to? They rarely exit the zone as a team because they focus on playing too quickly. When it works it's great, but it almost never works.

In absolute agreement... Except for the 'is getting' bit. It's been like that all season, and it is KILLING our 5 on 5 offense.

I completely disagree. I think Cooke and Kennedy have been **** all season on that line. Cooke barely looks like he's moving until he was moved up with Geno. Tyler Kennedy has been a ghost since signing his 2M contract. A complete ghost. I remember writing about him winning battle after battle and now he is a 4th line player at best competing with Glass.

I think those two need to step it the hell up or move on.

Did I word it poorly...or? I don't see what we completely disagree about.

I said they needed a new identity, because like you said, Cooke and Kennedy haven't been cutting it. Sutter is basically an island on that line, I want it to be a legitimate checking line again no more putting top six castoffs there (not directed at Bennett), no more shoehorning 4th liners there.

Did I word it poorly...or? I don't see what we completely disagree about.

I said they needed a new identity, because like you said, Cooke and Kennedy haven't been cutting it. Sutter is basically an island on that line, I want it to be a legitimate checking line again no more putting top six castoffs there (not directed at Bennett), no more shoehorning 4th liners there.